† Determined by national law or regulation as hazardous and, as such, relevant to Article 3(d) of ILO C. 182.
‡ Child labor understood as the worst forms of child labor per se under Article 3(a)–(c) of ILO C. 182.

Children at Higher Risk

The Gambia is considered a place of origin, transit, and destination for trafficking in persons. Senegalese children trafficked to The Gambia are exploited for domestic labor, fishing, and street work such as begging or shoe shining. Both Gambian children and children from nearby West African countries, in particular Nigeria, are at risk of commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking, as sexual tourism is reported to be on the rise. Research finds that poverty sometimes leads parents to encourage their child to seek relationships with tourists for financial gain. Finally, children from West African countries born in The Gambia are at risk of statelessness, as Gambian law only grants citizenship to children with a Gambian parent and not to all children born in the country. Individuals without birth registrations, especially children of single mothers and those in rural areas, are vulnerable to exploitation, including child labor. Reports indicate that child labor is predominant in rural areas, and most particularly in the cities of Mansakonko, Kuntaur, and Janjanbureh.

Barriers to Education Access

Unequal access to educational resources and opportunities has been a barrier to accessing education in The Gambia. Even though Gambian legislation mandates free compulsory primary and lower-secondary education, existing fees, such as for supplies, books, uniforms, and exams, impact school enrollment rates. As reported, these extra costs and cultural norms often lead parents to prioritize the education of boys over girls. In addition, the scarcity of funding for schools has also been an issue, with a lack of equipment, poor infrastructure, a lack of reliable water supply and sanitary toilet facilities, and inadequate classrooms. Research also found that low salaries for teachers cause absenteeism and a shortage of teachers. Children with disabilities and children living in rural areas are particularly affected and face problems of overcrowded classrooms, limited facilities, and a lack of transportation. Finally, beginning in grade four, teachers are required to teach in English, which can limit learning for students who speak local languages.

The Gambia permits children as young as age 16 to engage in light work, and children as young as age 12 to work as child apprentices in the informal sector. While the Children’s Act generally prohibits children from working in conditions that would be harmful to their health, education, or development, the Act does not determine the activities in which light work or apprenticeships may be permitted, prescribe the number of hours per week for light work or apprenticeships, or specify the conditions in which light work or apprenticeships may be undertaken. The Children’s Act provides for compulsory basic education. However, the law does not explicitly specify at what age basic education begins or how many years basic education lasts. In addition, while children in The Gambia are required to attend school up to age 16 based on current policy, this standard makes children ages 16 and 17 vulnerable to child labor, as they are not required to attend school but are not legally permitted to work.

In 2024, 5 labor inspectors conducted an unknown number of worksite inspections, finding 0 child labor violations. The government also conducted 9 investigations into suspected cases of the worst forms of child labor, initiated 9 prosecutions, and convicted 1 perpetrator.

† The government had other policies that may have addressed child labor issues or had an impact on child labor.

‡ Program is funded by the Government of The Gambia.
† The government had other programs that may have addressed child labor issues or had an impact on child labor.

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